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Culdesac
Posted by:
Volcanoguy
N 46° 22.449 W 116° 40.219
11T E 525355 N 5135672
Culdesac history sign in Culdesac.
Waymark Code: WMAHMQ
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 01/17/2011
Views: 5
Culdesac history sign in city park on main street of Culdesac.
Marker Name: Culdesac
![](/images/spacer.gif) Marker Type: City
![](/images/spacer.gif) Marker Text: In 1863 this area was a “Shebeen” (outlaw headquarters) and murder and robbery of travelers were common place. This valley was on the main and original Nez Perce Trail leading into Montana through Elk City. Homesteaders moved into the fertile valley and by 1900 two towns were growing. One called Culdesac located at the end of the railroad terminal and the other at the east end of the valley called Mellen. The citizens of both towns applied for a post office under the one name of Cul-de-sac. The post office was granted, but the department suggested the people adopt the name Magnolia. This stood until through a citizens petition the post office was renamed Culdesac. In 1903 the towns consolidated and adopted the name Culdesac. With a population of 400 the town grew rapidly, boasting all of the businesses of a larger town. A number of fires over the years burned out complete town blocks and greatly damaged growth. However, a school, businesses and homes have been re-built, and farming is now the chief industry.
![](/images/spacer.gif) County: Nez Perce
![](/images/spacer.gif) City: Culdesac
![](/images/spacer.gif) Date Dedicated: 1996
![](/images/spacer.gif) Group Responsible for Placement: Town of Culdesac
![](/images/spacer.gif) Marker Number: None
![](/images/spacer.gif) Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
If possible please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location.
Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Idaho history please include that in your log.